DAVAO CITY ─ Farmers, researchers, students, government officials, and local executives from all over Region 11 gathered here for a four-day affair starting with the silver anniversary celebration of the Southern Mindanao Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (SMARRDEC).
SMARRDEC, one of the consortia of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD), was established in 1987 to cater to the research and development (R&D) needs of farmers, local government units, small and medium enterprises, among other stakeholders in Region 11.
“The consortium’s ultimate goal is to help our farmers in the region achieve greater productivity and competitiveness by providing them with necessary R&D and extension support services”, explained Dr. Lourdes C. Generalao, SMARRDEC consortium director. She added that they also capacitate farmer-beneficiaries to become entrepreneurs.
“SMARRDEC strives to make a difference by helping the national government achieve the country’s overall targets which include higher economic growth, mass employment, and poverty reduction”, Generalao expounded.
In ceremonies held at the Grand Men Seng Hotel on August 13, almost 200 guests, composed of SMARRDEC’s partners, filled the Monte Clair Ballroom.
Keynoting was PCAARRD Executive Director Patricio S. Faylon who congratulated the consortium “for continuing its role as catalyst for regional development through science and technology (S&T) for more than two decades”.
“The Council sees the consortium as its link to R&D management in the Davao Region through S&T and support to important agriculture and resource industries”, Faylon said.
Faylon also noted that SMARRDEC has been one of the dependable partners of PCAARRD in the region.
“This partnership is evident in the consortium’s consistent performance being one of the top consortia vying for the Council’s Ugnay Award every other year”.
Also highlighting the celebration were the recognition of the consortium’s hundreds of partners and the book launch of the “Magsasaka Siyentista Best Practices”.
The latter features the consortium’s 22 Magsasaka Siyentistas with expertise ranging from inter-cropping to biogas technology, livestock and poultry, and diversified farming among others.
“As the consortium celebrates its 25th year, SMARRDEC lives up to its vision to become a relevant and value-adding R&D and extension leader for tropical agriculture, forestry and natural resources in Region 11”, Generalao said in closing.
Meanwhile, the other activities the consortium lined up were the Farmer-Industry Encounters through the Science and Technology Agenda (FIESTA) exhibit, techno forum, business coaching session, and essay writing and photojournalism contests; Farmers and Fisherfolks Forum; Regional Symposium on Research Development and Extension Highlights; and a tree-growing activity.